[TR] Changing oil to full synthetic

[Nolan]

Well, it's almost always been my experiences with synthetics that they leak 
more.  A damp spot becomes wet, and a slow drip becomes an active leak. 
Others insist that isn't true, but it's certainly what I've observed with 
synthetics.

The concern over flat lifters vs roller lifters was originally a break in 
issue.  It has since morphed to a hysteria that all flat tappets will 
promptly self destruct with new oil.  As that hasn't happened, and many new 
engines are still flat tappet design, I rather suspect the story has become 
quite overblown.




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg Perry" <rgperry at earthlink.net>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:16 PM
Subject: [TR] Changing oil to full synthetic


> Hello List,
>
> What has been the experience if any with changing from mineral based oils 
> (Castrol GTX 20-w50)to full synthetic based oils Castrol Syntec 20W-50)on 
> a flat tappet 200,000 mile leaky Triumph motor?  The question comes about 
> because of the recommendation from Castrol oil Company of only using 
> Syntec 20W-50 only in flat tappet camshaft engines.
>
> I would suspect that the synthetic oil would leak more vigorously than 
> mineral oil.  I'm hesitant to change to full synthetic oil.  I tried 
> Mobile 1 when it first came out.  It was too thin, valve train clattered 
> loudly until oil got there and leaked out of the ford 460 at the time.